I just recently looked at getting a new compact tractor - We were looking at buying more acreage and I thought having an extra tractor running would be a wise investment on my free time and who doesn't want a new tractor. Being in engineering (mechanical and industrial) I have been exposed to most all brands depending on the contracts and perks the corporations agree on - playing on John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Mahindra, and so on. There are some "economy" brands that have been in the game and recently joined the game that I am not as familiar with but did do a lot of research - TYM, Branson, Rural King etc. Money/Cost/Financing was one of the main things I also looked at besides quality of build and reliability. With that being said - they all have some of the same guts but some have stronger market presence based on their transparency and their ability to provide a quality product with reliable service AND accurate quotes and respectable financing options.
This is what ultimately sets some apart from others. I looked at some manufacturers more serious than others. I had come across one of the "economical", cut out the middle man, brands and wanted to see what they had to offer.
I went through their customization on their website and pieced together the equipment I would like to have in a complete package. By the end of it all I was given an online quote and I saved it .pdf format with an entire list of equipment and options. The price was extremely appealing and I was intrigued - almost hooked. I did some more research on the brand. The next day I received a call from the closest dealer (35 miles away) again with the same online quote for the package and wanting to see if I could come in and look at them and talk more. I drove the 35 miles and got to the dealer and the tractor I was looking at wasn't even on-site but I looked at the larger models and what I saw seemed ok for the price I was quoted. The manager then told me that it would be 2 to 4 weeks before they could have the tractor. Again - the price was low enough that it was a bearable setback and I didn't have an immediate/urgent need. After 2 hrs waiting for my credit to be checked and accepted, I received a congratulations I was approved. Then when the manager told me the payments I was shocked. We spent the next 30 mins trying to figure out how the price I was quoted was so far off from what they had financed and ultimately a $21,995.99 quote evolved into a $28,151.90 price tag and with the horrible manufacturers financing (6.140%) I would have paid $36,058.68 = 429.27 for 84 months! $14,000 more than what I drove 70 miles for and invested 2 hrs and 30 mins to discover.
Make sure you are aware of these bait and switch tactics that the "economy". If you shop around you can find some quality name brands with 0% for 60, 72, and even 84 months that can save you thousands. Unless you are given one of the tractors or have the cash to pay for them out right - some of the economy brands just do not have the relationships with lenders to keep them "economical". I ended up with everything I had in the "economy" brand package minus the backhoe in a name brand that has a lot more options for getting service and repair for $22,150 out the door with 0% interest same as cash for 60 months. The backhoe would have put me around $28k and I wouldn't do enough trenching work to justify that cost, but still way under what I was going to pay for the cheaper brand.
Buyer beware and make sure you shop around - some of these brands are trying to get market share - quantity not quality. Happy shopping!
